The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-12-23

the West that my daughter Sally Is about Il
marry will be there. And that great bird
want you to kill, clean and dress in your
very best STYLE
''Pll do it, Deacon
snow, mind! I'm trusting you as no mar
else would. I understand that some Of
those goddess fellows Of tho village are 20
ing to have turkey-raffle at the tavern to
night. One Of the wretches had the impu
dence to come here this morning and Offer
me five dollars for that turkey, just as he is
told him wouldn't take his weight in gok
for him, for that purpose. 30 you lool
sharp; they're none too good to shoot him
Now, Job, 60 ahead. Get boiling water and
knives, and any thing else you need, from
the kitchen. The Ratchet is behind the
door. Work fast, and be just as faithful
and careful a. though the turkey was your
own"
The brief December day was declining
It was almost sunset when Job Harkins
with his preparations all complete, and his
materials about him, bound the legs of the
victim, placed his neck over log, and with
one swinging blow Of sharp axe, decapi
tated him.
'.Bravo, Job!-done like an old cavalry.
your sabersr'
Job looked ut the man who had just eau
tiously climbed the rear fence of the dca
cons premises. He had, in fact, been hid
den behind it for the last fifteen minutes
overhearing the whole conversation.
Don't you bother me, Sandy Badger.
want to do this job quick and well Go way,
and lcmme alone"
xl,,s& Ia Y.N =
fellow might watch you. Seem you handle
the Ratchet SO cleverly put me in mind Of
the great cavalry fight Eve heard you tell
of. Which was it,"
Any provocation to talk about his service
in the war was sure to draw Job out, as his
cunning tempter well knew.
Don't know. Might have been Brandy
Station; might have been Yellow Tavern.
Both big fights.''
'Was you in both of 'em. Job!''
Eyes, indeed; and in dozen other small
er ones.''
(Which licked in those twor'
I'VE did at the Tavern; t. other one they
called q kind Of draw"
So the talk went on until the turkey was
cleaned and dressed. Holding it up by the
leg. Harkins said:
''Now, ain that beauty! More n twenty
pounds dressed, really believe"
''Splendidi' said Sandy. $50 now you're
done. Job, tell US who commanded there at
Brandyi"
General Pleasanton, Of course"
Fighting GineralF'
"You bet" said the veteran, with enthu-
siasm.
Job-let's drink his health"
Mr.. Badgerproduced q square flask. Job
hcsitated.
- don't want tor
"What's the oddsl Your work is all
done. You amt going back on your old
commander, be YOUR
The argument wss irresistible. Job
drank
He was lost man from that moment.
His tongue was loosed; he talked and
drank, and drank again. The crafty rascal
piled him with the fiery stun, merely max
ing pretense of drinking himself He pro-
posed the health Of General Sheridan, and
Job enthusiastically drank it. He drank to
the Army of the Potomac; to his Colonel; to
his Captain; to the old fighting st Mas
sachusetts Cavalry. Near dark the Deacon
came out in the yard, and gazed with con-
sternation at the sight Job Harkins was
leaning against the fence in q maudlin con-
diti0; the hot water was overturned,
Ratchet and knives were scattered on the
ground.
"Where is the turkey." demanded the
irate proprietor.
Fact is, Deacon" said Job, with drunken
dignity" when (hic) l got him dressed, he
(hic) few away"
The Deacon drove Job from the yard.
II. FINDING II.
Deacon Cleghorn was greatly angered by
this untoward incident He knew enough
about the bad set, who. failing to buy the
coveted turkey, had stolen it, to be sure
that they would hide it beyond reach of .
search warrant Christmas was rapidly ap-
preaching, and his main preparations were
yet to be made. To his dismay he discov-
cred that he could purchase 10 kind Of q
turkey. Never was Christmas 90 extern
sively prepared for in that vicinity ~ in
that Centennial year. There was nothing
like fowl to spare. even to Deacon Oeghorn.
He went home and reported the case to .
full domestic council.
20, Whist sAau we do - said Mrs. Cleghorn,
wringing her hands.
"And to think that Captain Bradstroet
will be here to morrowl' pretty Sally
pouted